Carnival of Financial Planning #190

Hello, Amateur Finance readers, fans, and other visitors. Today, I have the great honor of being able to host the One-Hundred and Ninetieth Carnival of Financial Planning. There are a great deal of very interesting looking blog entries included, so please take the time to check them out!

Carnival of Financial Planning – Edition #190 – June 24, 2011

Welcome to the June 24, 2011 Edition #190 of the Carnival of Financial Planning.

The Carnival of Financial Planning takes a long-term view of personal financial planning for individuals and families. We focus on efficient and sustainable personal financial planning practices that can lead to lifetime financial security.

This edition is arranged by subject heading, so that you can browse efficiently.

Frank Knight presents Investment Asset Allocation posted at Retirement Planning Software, saying, “When you are already there and invested in an asset class, you are following a passive asset allocation strategy. Tactical asset allocation strategy advocates suggest that you can anticipate the crowd, but flow-of-funds studies show that almost all tactical asset allocation fund flows are late money flows that chase performance after valuations have already moved.”

BIFS presents How I Budget posted at Budgeting In the Fun Stuff, saying, “Looking over your finances monthly.”

FMF presents Relax with a Gone-Fishing Portfolio posted at Free Money Finance, saying: “Summer is here. It’s time to go fishing or take a trip or do wherever else you enjoy while on vacation. Unless your interests lie in investment management or you have a trusted fiduciary watching over your investments, consider having a portfolio designed to allow you more time to relax.”

Dividends4Life presents 4 Dividend Stocks Turbo-Charging Returns With Increasing Dividends posted at Dividend Growth Stocks, saying, “It is a well-documented fact that a significant portion of the historical equity returns are a result of reinvested dividends. In Triumph of the Optimists: 101 Years of Global Investment Returns (2002), the authors looked at equity returns from capital gains and dividends from 1900 to 2000.”

FMF presents Revisiting the Advice to Buy Real Estate posted at Free Money Finance, saying: “Markets can turn quickly. There’s still blood in the street. Don’t miss this opportunity to look for a great real estate deal.”

Tim Chen presents What are the Best Store Credit Cards? (We Compare 18) posted at NerdWallet Blog – Credit Card Watch, saying, “Store credit cards, or retail credit cards, are not typically the most financially-friendly options for consumers. We look at a slew of them to point out the pros and cons.”

Jeff Weber presents June 2011 Report on Balance Transfer Credit Cards posted at Smart Balance Transfers, saying, “In June, the average length of balance transfer offers increased to more than 12 months for the second time in 2011 and fees on balance transfers decreased. However, many consumers still have limited options due to the lack of depth in the market.”

Miscellaneous

Darwin presents PEAK OIL. It’s Here. We’re Screwed. [CHART] posted at Darwin’s Money, saying, “The world has finally hit peak oil and here’s the chart to prove it. It’s important to assess the implications and how your future is about to change.”

Dr. Dean presents Hidden Danger Of The Status Quo! posted at Dr. Dean’s TheMillionaireNurse.com Blog, saying, “As you get older you have to protect against obsolescence by adapting to the now.”

Jason Price presents Perkstreet Update: $100 in Perks Have Arrived! posted at One Money Design, saying, “We made the decision to switch checking to Perkstreet Financial and are really pleased with the results. Learn about our experience and how we received $100 in perks!”

The Skilled Investor presents Market Timing Does Not Work posted at Personal Financial Management, saying, “Always stay invested to earn risk premiums. You must have your money invested and at risk to get risk premium returns. Jumping out and in or “timing the markets” doesn’t work.”

Joe Plemon presents Get Back On Track With Your Resolutions posted at Personal Finance By The Book, saying, “Have those New Year’s resolutions become long forgotten good intentions? Don’t give up. This post will help you get back on track.”

Retirement Planning

Consumer Boomer presents Saving Enough Money for Retirement posted at Consumer Boomer, saying, “To determine if you are currently on track for retirement, complete the following steps…”

Jim Wilkerson presents No Load Index Funds posted at No Load Funds, saying, “Very young stock and bond mutual funds are more likely to put you into the position of being an experimental guinea pig of mutual fund companies and the ETF industry.”

Consumer Boomer presents The Self Directed 401K Plan – Is It For You? posted at Consumer Boomer, saying, “This article gives you some helpful information regarding Self Directed 401k plans and whether or not it will work for you.”

Consumer Boomer presents Whole Life Insurance Advice- When Should You Purchase? posted at Consumer Boomer, saying, “When shopping for life insurance, the options between permanent, or whole life insurance and term life insurance can be confusing. Here’s some helpful information to help you.”

Savings

retirebyforty presents Save By Sharing One Car posted at retireby40.org, saying, “American and Canadian families spend a large portion of their paycheck on transportation. Usually, we spend most on housing, transportation, and food in that order. One of the best ways to reduce that big slice of the expenditure pie is to share one car.”

Walter W. Fouse presents Large Cap Mutual Funds posted at Mutual Funds, saying, “This table of low cost top 10 S&P 500 mutual funds has been organized with the lowest cost index fund first. Nevertheless, each of these S & P 500 index funds is among the least costly on the market.”

Taxes

Financial Freedom presents Roth Contributions, posted at Retirement Spreadsheet , saying, “The Roth tax optimization puzzle for asset conversions, as well as for annual Roth contributions during working years, is one of the most complex decisions that the ridiculously complex US taxation and retirement planning system forces upon individuals.”